Plans for the Second Half of the Trip

Yesterday was another day of planning and meeting people.  After a long drive through the city of Kampala and fighting the endless traffic jams, we finally arrived at coffee shop to meet William Stanley, an American who has lived in Africa since the 80s and Uganda for the past three.  He works with several groups around the Kampala area and had strong leads for us.  One is the Good Shepard Home for children abandoned by their families- especially ones with disabilities.  The organization he described was one that reminds me a lot of Casa Hogar, the foster home where the Oaxacan Service Team volunteers each March.  There seems to be many ways we can help the children there.  Mr.  A and I are going with William to visit the home on Monday…So check back later for pics and a description of what we learned. We will also meet with a government official on Monday- a contact given to us by the UCONN Travel Medicine Program who works runs a  clinic in Kosoro in southwestern Uganda.  Working in Kisoro would be great, but a little hard to fully explore on this trip. We have been in contact with a local woman, Grace, who also works in Kosoro with a children’s group but is based here in Kampala.  Tuesday, our final day will bring a visit to Kids of Africa and the home and school for children there. 

All of the above will happen after Ms OB and Mr Aavatsmark go on a safari…sounds like some really odd children’s book title.   Arranging an experience outside the urban area has involved a lot of planning and phone calls. The faculty at the International School of Uganda have been unbelievably helpful in giving us suggestions, contacts and advice.  Many options turned into dead ends because they were too costly in time and/or money.  For example, the gorillas of the west involve more travel time than we have and require a $500 permit fee on top of the other costs…nix that.  Lesley Peacock, Principal of Senior School at ISU, came to the rescue putting us in contact with a guide and driver, Paul, she has used in the past.  Paul met up with us at dinner, described our adventure, fielded questions and most importantly, took our deposit.   What we have arranged seems to get us the most variety of experiences in a short period of time.  All along our number one question has been, “How could this be a student experience?”  And we will continue to ask this as we head out of the city Friday: a chimp trek in Bondongo, 2 overnights in a lodge, a game drive, hike, river cruise and rhino sanctuary.  I may be calling dibs on the savannah during this year’s biome project and using my photos (to be take) as the basis!